The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe National Army last week held a handover-takeover parade at 3.1 Combat Groups Battalion which saw Lieutenant-Colonel Whatmore Ziweni taking over as the commanding officer.
He takes over from Colonel Elijah Tatire, who was been elevated to the ZNA training branch in Harare. Lt-Col Ziweni was the commanding officer at William Ndangana 3.3 Reserve Force Battalion in Chipinge.
Officiating at the ceremony, Commander 3 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General George Chitsva said ZNA expects the same vigour, dedication and allegiance that Lt-Col Ziweni exuded to continue into his new assignment.
Brig-Gen Chitsva urged Lt-Col Ziweni to continue exhibiting high standards of professional discipline.
“I urge you to take over from where Lt- Col Tatire has left in all respects of the group programmes. I also expect you to perfect all basic skills of soldiering of your subordinates to exhibit a high standard of discipline in the sector,” he said.
Brig-Gen Chitsva thanked Lt-Col Tatire for his hard work.
In his address, Lt-Col Ziweni said he was ready to lead the battalion and requested for discipline, teamwork, professionalism, loyalty and dedication to duty from his subordinates.
“I feel greatly honoured and humbled by the confidence and trust vested in me by the command element that they have demonstrated by appointing me as the commanding officer 3.1 Combat Group,” he said.
He promised to remain committed to duty.
“I shall endeavour to discharge all my duties to the best of my abilities, diligently and effectively. The policies that were put in motion by Lt-Col Tatire will continue to be observed and we will work hard to leave a mark as you did,” he said.
Lt-Col Ziweni also promised to maintain the relationship between the battalion and all stakeholders.
Lt-Col Tatire thanked members of the 3.1 command element for their loyalty and positive responses to his orders during his tenure.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Mutare urban and rural communities for the cordial relations we managed to cultivate throughout my tenure. We managed to forge ahead as citizens and as security forces of our beloved country,” he said.
